Bourbon Central student wins Hit the Books design contest

Ana Flores-Ortiz, a Bourbon Central Elementary student and winner of the Lexington Legends Hit the Books bookmark design contest, was congratulated by the Legends' Big L (center) and Pee Wee during a presentation at the school March 3. (Bourbon Central Elementary/Lexington Legends)
Ana Flores-Ortiz, a Bourbon Central Elementary student and winner of the Lexington Legends Hit the Books bookmark design contest, was congratulated by the Legends’ Big L (center) and Pee Wee during a presentation at the school March 3. (Bourbon Central Elementary/Lexington Legends)

Lexington-Legends-2013Ana Flores-Ortiz, a fifth grade student at Bourbon Central Elementary School, was the winner of a bookmark design contest that is part of the Lexington Legends Hit the Books reading incentive program sponsored by Waffle House.

Ana received a Legends prize pack, including Legends merchandise, a framed Hit the Books poster featuring her artwork, and membership in the 2015 Little Legends Kids Club. She also will be invited to throw a ceremonial first pitch at a designated Legends game for her school. Bookmarks featuring her artwork will be distributed to students at every school that participates in the Hit the Books program. More than 30,000 students from 74 central Kentucky schools are expected to take part in the program, which runs through April 1.

“Hit the Books will continue to be an important part of community outreach for the Legends,” said Tim Vieira, the Legends’ community outreach coordinator. “We enjoy going out to the schools and meeting with students. It’s great to be part of a program that has a positive impact in the educational development of so many students.”

In Hit the Books, a baseball diamond is used to record credit for a student’s reading. For every book a student reads, a teacher places his or her initials on a base. When the student has all three bases and home plate initialed by the teacher, the student may bring a Hit the Books bookmark to the Legends’ box office at Whitaker Bank Ballpark to exchange it for two tickets to a Legends home game designated for their school.

The 2015 season is the 15th for Legends baseball, and also marks the 15th year that the Legends have been associated with Hit the Books. About 205,000 students have participated.

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Lexington Legends. Click here to view the original story.

Chasers in the Community – March 2015

Spotlight: Storm Chasers Participate in “Read Across America” March 2-6

­Omaha-Storm-Chasers-2014All this week, Storm Chasers staff members will take part in “Read Across America” by donating their time to read to classes at schools throughout the Omaha Metro. The National Education Association’s program is the largest celebration of reading in the country with a purpose of motivating children, promoting student achievement and creating lifelong successful readers.

Additional Community Events for March

  • Ronald McDonald House of Omaha Dinner – March 16 from 5:00-7:30 p.m.
  • Jackie Robinson Athletic Scholarship – Application deadline of March 20
  • “Why I Want to Go to College” Essay Contest – Entry deadline of March 27

Mascot Appearances for March

  • Read Across America – March 2-6 at Schools throughout the Omaha Metro
  • Heat the Streets Walk/Run for Warmth – March 7 from 8:00-9:00 a.m. at Midtown Crossing
  • Dancing with the Omaha Stars – March 7 from 5:30-7:00 p.m. at Ralston Arena
  • OPS Summer in the City – March 19 from 6:00-7:30 p.m. at Monroe Middle School
  • Autism Night – March 29 from 5:30-8:00 p.m. at Omaha Children’s Museum

February Volunteering Recap

  • Total Community Hours Donated by Omaha Storm Chasers Staff – 58.5 Hours

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Omaha Storm Chasers. Click here to view the original story.

Paint The Pig Contest Underway!

Artwork must be received by Friday, March 6th

lehighvalleyironpigs_2015-02-24

It’s that time of the year again… the Lehigh Valley IronPigs, in conjunction with Painting and Decorating by Shane, are encouraging area youngsters to Paint the Pig! The winner will receive an IronPigs prize pack and have his/her artwork decorated on a giant 9′ x 5′ fiberglass piggy bank that will be displayed in the AT&T Plaza at Coca-Cola Park during all IronPigs home games.

Children ages 13 and under are eligible to participate and all entries must be sent to:

Paint the Pig
Coca-Cola Park
1050 IronPigs Way
Allentown, PA 18109

Artwork must be received by Friday, March 6, to qualify.

Following the deadline, a group of five finalists will be announced in The Morning Call and the general public will then be able to vote for the winning design at www.mcall.com beginning Wednesday, March 11 and ending Sunday, March 15. The child whose drawing receives the most votes will have the winning design painted on the giant piggy bank by a professional artist.

All proceeds from piggy bank donations collected at Coca-Cola Park will benefit IronPigs Charities, a non-profit organization striving to provide educational and recreational opportunities for children in the Greater Lehigh Valley area. IronPigs Charities is a recognized 501(c) (3) non-profit organization on the state and federal level.

Painting & Decorating by Shane has been serving clients for close to 10 years and owner Shane Smoyer has more than 20 years of experience. Based in Lehigh Valley, PA, Painting by Shane serves clients throughout the Lehigh Valley, including Allentown, Bethlehem and Easton, as well as the Poconos, Philadelphia, New Jersey and beyond. Call 610-285-6061 today for a free estimate!

The IronPigs piggy bank will be repainted prior to the beginning of each season.

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Lehigh Valley IronPigs. Click here to view the original story.

BlueClaws Host Scout Patch Design Contest

LakewoodBlueClaws_2015-02-11

Winning patch will be given out to all scouts at BlueClaws games this year!

Lakewood-BlueClaws-LogoThe BlueClaws are holding their annual Scout Patch Design Contest to determine the official patch that will be given out to scouts at Scout Nights this summer.

Click here to download the official contest rules and a design template.

Use 10 colors or less to fill in the circle with your patch design. Please note on each sheet the scout’s name and their parent’s contact information. As a reminder, 2015 is the BlueClaws 15th season in Lakewood, so keep that in mind when designing your patch!

The winner will be decided on April 1st, and will be rewarded a ceremonial first pitch before whichever 2015 Scout Night they attend.

In order to be eligible for the contest, a Scout must be a member of a pack that has already booked its 2015 outing with the BlueClaws. For additional information about the BlueClaws Scout Program, visit www.blueclaws.com/scouts.

Once you are ready to submit your patch, you may return the form to the BlueClaws at the following address:

Kyle Volp
BlueClaws Scout Patch Contest
2 Stadium Way
Lakewood, NJ 08701.

If you have any further questions about the contest or booking a Scout outing at one of our Scout Nights, please contact Kyle Volp at 732-901-7000, ext. 142.

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Lakewood BlueClaws. Click here to view the original story.

Baysox Honor Reading Program Poster Winners

BowieBaysox_2015-02-06

Bowie-BaysoxThe Baysox lovable mascot Louie made visits to schools across the region during the past month to congratulate some very special students. Louie wanted to congratulate the winners of the annual poster contest that kicks off the Read and Hit a Home Run reading program.

All eight winning students are listed below:

Calvert County – Plum Point Middle School – Savannah Hersh – 6th Grade

Anne Arundel County – Central Elementary School – Marissa Beach – 5th Grade

Charles County – Arthur Middleton Elementary School – Desaray Green-Quartey – 4th Grade

Howard County – Trinity School – Ciara O’Connor – 6th Grade

Montgomery County – Forcey Christian School – Zoeii Strong – 5th Grade

Queen Anne’s County – Kennard Elementary School – Sarah Ireland – 4th Grade

Prince George’s County – Drew Freeman Middle School – Kentisha Torries – 7th Grade

St. Mary’s County – Town Creek Elementary School – Owen Corpus – 3rd Grade

The students’ poster designs were selected as the winner for all schools in their county. The poster designed by the winning student will also be displayed in each participating school in their respective counties throughout the program.

Louie surprised the winners during special school assemblies, rewarding them with a framed poster of the design, eight Baysox tickets and a collection of Baysox gear. The students also get a chance to throw out a ceremonial first pitch before the Baysox Reading Night game for their county.

The Baysox would like to thank Read and Hit a Home Run Reading Program sponsor Educational Systems Federal Credit Union for their support of the program. This is the 11th year that Educational Systems Federal Credit Union has sponsored the reading program.

In all, more than 200 schools are registered to participate in the reading program this year. Any student in participating schools who reads at least four books is rewarded with a free ticket to a Baysox game. This is the 19th year the Baysox have overseen the reading program and during that time, the team has helped to promote reading for millions of elementary and middle school students in Maryland. Louie will be visiting students throughout the weeks leading up to the season to show them how fun reading can be.

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Bowie Baysox. Click here to view the original story.

IronPigs Charities Announce Record-Setting Donations

LehighValleyIronPigs_2015-01-23

Grants Were Awarded during Thursday’s Phillies Winter Banquet

Lehigh-Valley-IronPigsIronPigs Charities, presented by The Air Production Foundation, a non-profit organization striving to provide educational and recreational opportunities for children in the Greater Lehigh Valley area, awarded a record-breaking 101,897.45 in cash grants to 22 non-profit organizations during Thursday’s Phillies Winter Banquet at the Sands Events Center. Since debuting in 2008, IronPigs Charities has contributed a total in excess of $750,000 in cash grants to dozens of local non-profit entities. Between the IronPigs Charities organization and the Lehigh Valley IronPigs, the total all-time cash distribution is nearing $1.1-million.

“The Phillies Winter Banquet, coupled with the opportunity to make meaningful donations to so many deserving local organizations, is truly the highlight of our year,” remarked IronPigs Charities President Kurt Landes. “It’s genuinely humbling to be in such a position to be able to impact our community in such a significant manner. And, the best is yet to come.”

The 2015 beneficiaries are listed below:

  • Allentown School District Foundation
  • Boy Scouts of America, Minsi Trails Council
  • Boys and Girls Club of Allentown
  • Boys and Girls Club of Bethlehem
  • Boys and Girls Club of Easton
  • Center for Vision Loss
  • Community Bike Works
  • East Side Memorial Little League
  • East Side Youth Center
  • Easton Area Police Athletic League
  • Friends of Allentown Parks
  • Girl Scouts of Eastern PA
  • Lehigh Valley Center for Independent Living
  • Lower Macungie Athletics
  • Mikayla’s Voice
  • Miracle League of Lehigh Valley
  • Northeast Ministry
  • Sacred Heart Hospital
  • Wildlands Conservancy
  • YMCA of Bethlehem
  • YMCA of Easton, Phillipsburg & Vicinity
  • Youth Education in the Arts

Philadelphia Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro, Jr., manager Ryne Sandberg along with OF Ben Revere, INF/OF Darin Ruf and RHP David Buchanan headlined the 2015 Phillies Winter Banquet presented by The Air Products Foundation, Lehigh Valley Health Network, Service Electric Cable TV & Communications and Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Network. Other Phillies dignitaries included broadcaster Tom McCarthy, Assistant General Manager Scott Proefrock and Assistant Director of Player Develoment Steve Noworyta.

The Phillies Winter Banquet beneficiary, IronPigs Charities, is a recognized 501(c) (3) non-profit organization on the state and federal level. The annual Phillies Winter Banquet is IronPigs Charities’ flagship event and all of the money raised at the event directly benefits IronPigs Charities.

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Lehigh Valley IronPigs. Click here to view the original story.

“Hit The Books” Bookmark Contest Winners

OmahaStormChasers_2015-01-20

Overall Bookmark Contest Winner will be announced February 4

Omaha-Storm-Chasers-2014The highlight of the Storm Chasers “Hit The Books” Literacy Program, the 2015 Bookmark Contest Winners have been announced out of more than 10,000 submissions. This year’s “Hit The Books” Program saw the most schools participating in its history at 52, reaching 16,583 students.

The “Hit The Books” literacy program, presented by Nebraska Educational Savings Trust, has encouraged area elementary students that reading is an essential skill to have since 2007. Teachers at each school determine four different reading goals for the program. Students who “round the bases” receive four different prizes, including the grand prize of a ticket to a 2015 Storm Chasers game.

“Hit The Books” students can also participate in the Bookmark Contest, with a winner announced for each grade level. The overall winner, whose bookmark is distributed as a prize to all students, will be one of these grade level winners selected by the Storm Chasers:

  • Kindergarten: Kara Salton – Black Elk Elementary
  • 1st Grade: Nathan Russell – Wheeler Elementary
  • 2nd Grade: Blake G. – Black Elk Elementary
  • 3rd Grade: Giuliana Gagliolo – Reeder Elementary
  • 4th Grade: Callie Kirchner – Reagan Elementary
  • 5th Grade: Jenna Christensen – Reagan Elementary
  • 6th Grade: Nick Brickman – Patriot Elementary

The announcement/presentation for the overall Bookmark Contest winner is planned for February 4.

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Omaha Storm Chasers. Click here to view the original story.

Hit The Books bookmark contest winner honored

DelmarvaShorebirds_2015-01-07

Berlin Intermediate’s Emily Sandt draws winning design

Delmarva-Shorebirds-2010The Delmarva Shorebirds, class “A” affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles and Dr. James M. Crouse at The Brace Place, presenting sponsor of the Hit the Books program, honored Emily Sandt of Berlin Intermediate School for winning the 2015 Hit the Books Bookmark Design Contest. Her winning design was distributed to all participating students on the Delmarva Peninsula.

The Hit the Books initiative officially kicks off January 20 and will continue through February 27.

The program encourages elementary and middle school students on the Delmarva Peninsula to read outside of their regular classroom assignments. Students that complete their reading goals receive two free tickets to a Shorebirds home game during the 2015 season.

Sandt’s winning design featured a drawing of Sherman the Shorebird on a baseball field with airplanes flying overhead encouraging students to “Read, Read, Read.”

“Her design perfectly illustrated the goal of the program, to get students to read beyond the classroom,” said Shawn Schoolcraft, Director of Marketing and Community Relations. “We look forward to seeing the kids realize the fruits of their labor at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium this spring.”

In 2015, over 40,000 students from over 100 local schools are participating in the “Hit The Books” program, which is the largest non-school funded reading program on the Delmarva Peninsula.

“Reading books is a favorite pastime of mine and I love to see young people reading books,” said Dr. James M. Crouse at The Brace Place. “Our sponsorship of the Shorebirds ‘Hit the Books’ program is a perfect fit for us at The Brace Place.”

Participating schools will be notified in March about their game date at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium, and students will be honored as part of a pregame parade around the field. For more information, contact the Delmarva Shorebirds at 410-219-3112.

Season ticket and group outing packages are currently on sale for the 2015 season. The Shorebirds offer full season tickets, half season tickets, a 22-game plan and a 12-game plan along with a number of opportunities for groups to enjoy a night out at the ballpark. To secure your seat(s), call 410-219-3112.

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Delmarva Shorebirds. Click here to view the original story.

Blue Rocks Announce 2014 Holiday Card Contest Winner

5th Grader from Assumption B.V.M. School in West Grove, PA chosen out of thousands of entries.

KevinP.Linton_2014-11-25

 

Wilmington-Blue-Rocks-2014The Wilmington Blue Rocks are excited to announce the winner of the 13th Annual Holiday Card Contest. Thousands of entries were received, but unfortunately, there could be only one winner. After a tough decision process, Rocky Bluewinkle, Mr. Celery and the rest of the Holiday Card Contest Committee decided that the overall winner was Benjamin Trowbridge, a 5th Grader from Assumption B.V.M. School in West Grove, PA. His artwork will be featured on the cover of the Wilmington Blue Rocks Holiday Card. Benjamin will be rewarded with a team-autographed baseball, a ceremonial first pitch and 10 tickets to a 2015 Blue Rocks game.

The Blue Rocks also selected honorable mention recipients, whose artwork will be displayed on the back of the Holiday Card. The art teachers of the winner and honorable mention designers will be contacted by a Blue Rocks representative in the next week. Those garnering honorable mentions honors are:

Iyanna Flores
Kindergarten
Assumption B.V.M.
West Grove, PA

Dafne Ruiz
2nd Grade
Assumption B.V.M.
West Grove, PA

Sophie Dodds
3rd Grade
Villa Maria Academy
Immaculata, PA

Emily Ford
4th Grade
Villa Maria Academy
Immaculata, PA

Adrienne Testa
5th Grade
Holy Angels School
Newark, DE

Erica Panico
5th Grade
North Star Elementary
Hockessin, DE.

The Wilmington Blue Rocks would like to thank all those who entered. Entries were received from students in Kindergarten thru 5th grade from Delaware, Pennsylvania, Maryland and New Jersey.

Each entrant will be rewarded with 2 tickets to a Blue Rocks game in 2015 as a thank you for participating. The tickets will be mailed to the participating teachers by February.

The Blue Rocks, who drew 284,701 fans to Frawley Stadium in 2014 and averaged more than 4,400 patrons per game, have season seats and group packages for the 2015 season on sale now. Fans should call 302-888-BLUE or visit BlueRocks.com for more information.

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Wilmington Blue Rocks. Click here to view the original story.

BlueClaws Charities Makes Mark Through Community Grant Program

Awards grants to 34 non-profit organizations in 2014

LakewoodBlueClaws_2014-11-19

 

Lakewood-BlueClaws-LogoBlueClaws Charities has completed its 6th annual grant process. After analyzing the applications, BlueClaws Charities handed out grants to 34 Community Partner organizations in Monmouth & Ocean Counties.

BlueClaws Charities, a registered 501c3 organization, raises money at all 70 BlueClaws home games. A 50/50 raffle, special jersey auctions, and miscellaneous programs are used to raise money during games. The annual “Phillies Winter Banquet,” “ALS Celebrity Waiter Event,” “Bowling With the BlueClaws,” and the “BlueClaws Charities Nine & Dine Golf Outing” are additional fundraising initiatives conducted by BlueClaws Charities.

Each organization, also 501c3s, becomes eligible for a grant through a season-long partnership with the BlueClaws.

“This grant program is the culmination of the BlueClaws Charities year and we are very grateful to everyone that supports the organization in any way,” said BlueClaws Charities Executive Director Jim DeAngelis. “Without the support of the fans and donors, we would not be able to aid our magnificent Community Partner organizations.”

The following non-profit organizations received a cash grant from BlueClaws Charities (alphabetical order): ALS Association of Greater Philadelphia, American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, American Red Cross (Jersey Coast Chapter), Ashley Lauren Foundation, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ocean County, Caregivers Volunteers of Central Jersey, Central Jersey Blood Center, David’s Dream and Believe Cancer Foundation, Enable Inc., Exit 82 Theatre Company, Family Options Adoptions, Family Resource Associates, First Tee of Monmouth & Ocean Counties, Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE), Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore, Go 4 the Goal, LADACIN Network, Lt. Dennis W. Zilinski Memorial Fund, Monmouth County SPCA, Mya Lin Terry Foundation, NJ TEARS, Northern Ocean Habitat for Humanity, Ocean County Shriners Club, Ocean County YMCA, Ocean’s Harbor House, Raising Hope for Others, RJM Sports Group, Saint Vincent DePaul Society of Ocean County, Salvation Army of Ocean County, Susan G. Komen For the Cure of Central & South Jersey, Tom Giannattasio Jr. Memorial Fund, United Way of Monmouth County, United Way of Ocean County.

All Community Partners that completed the grant application were rewarded with a grant. Each partner was asked to describe the program within their organization that would benefit from the grant, with the requirement that the grant be allocated to Ocean or Monmouth County.

BlueClaws Charities, in addition to the grant program, supports hundreds of non-profit organizations with gift package donations, golf outing hole-in-one sponsorships, and specialty organizations such as OCEAN, Inc., a federal program that assists the less fortunate in the community. The “Tickets for Kids Program,” another BlueClaws Charities initiative, donates over 2,000 tickets to underserved youths in Lakewood and elsewhere in Ocean County.

Organizations that would like to become Community Partners can call Jim DeAngelis at 732-901-7000 ext 114. Community Partners raise money through a BlueClaws fundraiser outing and have the opportunity to volunteer in the FirstEnergy Park concession stands to raise additional funds. These organizations also receive exposure through on-field presentations, table displays, and on BlueClaws.com, plus they have special opportunities to hold events, such as charity walks, at FirstEnergy Park.

The Lakewood BlueClaws are the Jersey Shore’s top stop for affordable, family entertainment. They have led the South Atlantic League and New Jersey in attendance in each year of their existence. 2015 will be their historic 15th season of family fun.

Ticket packages and group outings are currently on sale by calling 732-901-7000 option 3 or online at BlueClaws.com.

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Lakewood BlueClaws. Click here to view the original story.

Squirrels Nominated For John Henry Moss Community Service Award

Richmond Tabbed by Eastern League for Award in 5th Season

RichmondFlyingSquirrels_2014-10-07

 

Richmond-Flying-SquirrelsThe Richmond Flying Squirrels, Double-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants, are pleased to announce that the organization has been nominated by the Eastern League of Professional Baseball Clubs for the 2014 John Henry Moss Community Service Award. The league nominates just one team for the award, presented annually by Minor League Baseball.

The John Henry Moss Community Service Award is bestowed upon a club that demonstrates an outstanding, on-going commitment to charitable service, support and leadership within their local community and within the baseball industry.

Community impact has been a foundational focal point for the Squirrels since their inception in 2010. The Squirrels’ nomination comes following a season in which they continued to expand many of their community aims. That included the launch of the Squirrels’ new non-profit arm, Flying Squirrels Charities, created with the goal of growing opportunities for local children. The first major fundraising campaign for Flying Squirrels Charities was “Smooch-a-Pig,” which included the involvement of 10 local celebrities and benefitted “Operation Renovation.” The campaign, which endeavored to rebuild 12 little league fields for the Richmond City Department of Parks & Recreation, raised over $60,000.

“There are many awards that the Squirrels as an organization would be delighted to receive,” said Flying Squirrels’ Vice President & COO Todd “Parney” Parnell. “However, this nomination is of particular significance to us. Community service is the bedrock of the Squirrels’ organization, and it is gratifying that our sustained effort continues to have a profound impact.”

The Squirrels continue to be one of the most active teams in professional sports within their community. Among their other programs and highlights:

  • “Go Nuts for Reading Program (39,000 student participants)
  • Flying Squirrels Art Contest (5th Year)
  • Score an “A”, Score a Ticket Program
  • Kroger Squirrels Tails Kids Club (24,000 Members)
  • In-Season Youth Camps
  • Drives (Food, Books, School Supplies, Blood)
  • Mustaches for Kids Program
  • Ed Randall’s Bat for the Cure
  • Charitable Events (Turn Left Golf Classic, Hot Stove Banquet, Nutzy’s Rotary Funn Run, Squirreloween, Puritan Cleaners Coats for Kids Drive, etc.)
  • 450 Mascot Appearances Annually (Local Schools, Businesses, Non-Profits, Festivals, etc.)
  • 30 Player and Coaches Appearances During the 2014 Season (200+ Hours of Community Service)
  • Executive Speaking Engagements (100+ in 2014)
  • ASK Fun Walk & 5K (Ask Foundation – 9th Annual)
  • Camp Warrior
  • Flying Squirrels Regional Youth Baseball Tournament
  • Monetary Gifts & Gifts In-Kind ($150,000)

The John Henry Moss Community Service Award is named after the longtime, former South Atlantic League president, who founded the SAL and presided over it for a half-century (1959-2008).

The John Henry Moss Community Service Award will be presented at the Baseball Winter Meetings, which will be held in San Diego, CA, from December 7-11.

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Richmond Flying Squirrels. Click here to view the original story.

Community Contributions Exceed $65,000 in 2014

RockHounds Release In-Season Cash Contributions

MidlandRockHounds_2014-08-20

A Calling to Serve

RockHounds Announce Summer Donations to Local Charities

For more than four decades, the core commitment of the RockHounds franchise has been to provide West Texas families with fun and entertainment throughout the summer and offer a place for the community to gather in fellowship through the game of baseball.

This mission, however, is not restrained by the physical boundaries of Security Bank Ballpark. Rather, the impact of the organization is felt throughout the Permian Basin, as the franchise remains a vanguard of community stewardship in the region.

Since the RockHounds’ Opening Day (April 3), the team has donated more than $65,000 to local charities.

YMCA-blue-&-purple“At its core, our work is not only about baseball; it is about bringing families and friends together in a fun, safe, and entertaining atmosphere,” said RockHounds general manager Monty Hoppel. “Through our efforts in the Permian Basin, our goal is straightforward: we want to make a tangible, positive difference in the lives of our friends and neighbors.”

The Club has established strong partnerships with several prominent groups, such as the YMCA,United-Way United Way, Gifts of Hope, High Sky Children’s Ranch, and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Midland. Additionally, the team incorporates new organizations into its philanthropy each year.

During the RockHounds’ regular season, the team hosts several annual events that benefit local charities and civic organizations. The highlight of these, for many, is the Summer Concert Series eveGifts-of-Hopent, which brings a country music star to the ballpark for a live concert; past performances at Security Bank Ballpark have included Dierks Bentley, Eli Young Band, and Brad Paisley.

The chart below outlines the RockHounds’ primary cash contributions this summer; it does not include in-kind and other forms of charitable giving.

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – High-Sky-Children's-Ranch–

RockHounds Summer Event Cash Contributions

Event (Charity) – ContributBBBS-Midlandion
Eli Young Concert (YMCA) – $34,000
Victory Run (Gifts of Hope) – $10,000
Golf Tournament (Scott Seator Foundation) – $6,500
Gold Star/Military Appreciation Night (Permian Basin Honor Flight) – $4,200
RockHounds Scholarship Program (Permian Basin Graduating Seniors) – $4,000
Specialty Jersey Auctions (High Sky Children’s Ranch) – $2,000
Jersey Auctions / Dunk Tank (Nino Rodriguez Family) – $1,643
Matt Maher Concert (Permian Basin Mission Center) – $1,050
Miscellaneous Functions (Various) – $3,830

TOTAL ROCKHOUNDS IN-SEASON CASH CONTRIBUTIONS: $67,223

 

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Midland RockHounds. Click here to view the original story.

Paint Night at the Park: Saturday, September 13

Join us for a special “Paint ‘n Sip” event

LowellSpinners_2014-08-01

 

Lowell-SpinnersThe Lowell Spinners, Class A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox, announced Monday they have partnered with Tutto Bene of Lowell for a unique painting event to be held at LeLacheur Park the evening of Saturday, September 13.

The event will feature painting and wine tasting on the concourse overlooking the ballpark, with instruction from professional artist Juliana on the Spinners’ brand new high-definition video board.

“We are thrilled to partner with Tutto Bene and bring this really unique event to the ballpark setting,” said Spinners President and General Manager Tim Bawmann. “What better setting to create your own masterpiece while enjoying a beautiful night out.”

Admission to the event is limited to the first 125 guests to register for the event to ensure an optimal experience for all involved. Tickets, available now through www.tuttobenecellars.com/theartofwine or by phone at (978) 459-9463, are $65. That price includes the painting materials, a souvenir wine glass, two tickets to a 2015 Lowell Spinners game and a $5 discount coupon for Tutto Bene.

“I cannot wait to see the creations by our artists at the event,” said Bawmann. “From those who have never picked up a brush to returning painters, the final results should be amazing!”

A portion of the proceeds from the event will benefit the Spinners Heroes Among Us program, which honors members of the Armed Forces.

The event will take place from 5-7:30pm, with the painting starting shortly after the gates open. A cash bar will be available at the first time event.

For more information or to order tickets, contact Tutto Bene at (978) 459-9463 or the Spinners Box Office at (978) 459-1702.

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Lowell Spinners. Click here to view the original story.

Autism Awareness Night

TampaYankees_2014-07-11

 

Tampa-YankeesThe Tampa Yankees will support Autism Awareness as they host their first annual “Autism Night” on Saturday, July 26 at George M. Steinbrenner Field against the Fort Myers Miracle. The game will begin at 6:00 pm & the gates will open to all fans at 5:00 pm.

On “Autism Night,” custom jerseys will be worn by the players & coaches that will be auctioned off during the game. Auction winners will have the opportunity to get their jersey signed by the player or coach who wore it after the game. The auction will benefit The Inspire Foundation, a non-profit organization whose mission is to bring music and the arts to ALL children with special needs. Fans will also have the chance to win a 2014 Ford F150 STX if they enter the raffle at the game.

The-Inspire-FoundationSaturday, July 26th will also be Friends & Family Night, where Family 4-Packs will be available for $38. Included are four reserved tickets, hot dogs, bags of chips, sodas, TY caps & two passes to Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo. Family 4-Packs can only be purchased at the Steinbrenner Field Box Office.

Before the game, kids will have the opportunity to run the bases from 5-5:15 pm & player autographs will be given on the concourse from 5:10-5:30 pm. A face painter will be on the concourse as well from 5-7:00 pm.

Tickets are $4 for general admission, $6 for reserved seating and can be purchased at the George M. Steinbrenner Field Box Office.

The Tampa Yankees are the Single A-Advanced affiliate of the New York Yankees. For more information you may contact the Tampa Yankees offices at (813) 673-3055 or visit www.tybaseball.com.

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Tampa Yankees. Click here to view the original story.

Quilting for Veterans donates 60 quilts

Raises $1,260 for local Veterans

(Alexa Sowers / Cedar Rapids Kernels)
(Alexa Sowers / Cedar Rapids Kernels)

Cedar-Rapids-KernelsSixty quilts and $1,260 was presented to Don Tyne and Linn County Veterans Affairs as part of Quilts to honor Vets in an on-field ceremony before the Kernels game with Beloit on July 5th.

The project began on March 8th as local quilters, organized by Connie Moyer and Connie’s Quilt Shop in Marion, began making quilts at Veterans Memorial Stadium, with 60 quilts produced by June 2nd. Also, a special quilt was made that was raffled off at the July 5th game, and $1,260 was raised for Linn County Veterans Affairs through the quilt raffle.

The quilts will be given to local veterans in need through Linn County Veterans Affairs and events like Stand Down for Veterans.

“It was my honor to represent all of the quilters who spent their time and talents to make the 60 quilts that were given to Don Tyne to be distributed to local veterans as our way of saying thank you for their service to our country.”, said event organizer Connie Moyer of Connie’s Quilt Shop.

The Kernels begin a three game home stand tonight against the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers at 6:35 pm with the gates opening at 5:30 pm. The current home stand continues through Thursday, July 10th.

Morgan Hawk brings you all of the play-by-play on the radio home of Kernels baseball, 1450 KMRY AM and 93.1 KMRY FM. Fans may listen on-line at www.kmryradio.com, or www.kernels.com.

Tickets may be purchased on-line at www.kernels.com, or by calling the Kernels Ticket Office at 896-7560. Ticket office hours are 10 am to 5 pm, Monday through Friday, and 10 am to 2 pm on Saturday.

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Cedar Rapids Kernels. Click here to view the original story.